architecture

Basilica of St. Mary

We didn’t get to tour the inside of the Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis the way we did the Cathedral of St. Paul, but just seeing the building and walking around the outside of it to get a good view from every angle was a treat! It became the first basilica in the United States around the time the interior was completed in 1926 according the direction of Pope Pius XI.

The Twin Cities are blessed to have such excellent church architecture!

Cathedral of St. Paul

Another favorite stop when we visited the Twin Cities was the Cathedral of St. Paul in…you guessed it, St. Paul! It is an absolutely structure built in the Beaux Arts style, and made with granite from Saint Cloud.

The interior is stunning:

Like the cathedral in St. Louis, there is a Pietà:

I especially liked the shrines honoring the national patron saints of some of the immigrant groups in the area. In no particular order: Saint Anthony of Padua (Italy), John the Baptist (French Canada), Saint Patrick (Ireland), Saint Boniface (Germany), Saints Cyril and Methodius ( the Slavic Nations), and Saint Therese (protector of all missions). A really cool detail about these shrines is that each contains marble from the country they represent.

Don’t forget to look up!

A peek into the baptistry:

In addition to the shrines, there are also four chapels, dedicated to Saint Peter, the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Saint Joseph, and the Blessed Virgin Mary.

There are four piers supporting the dome, and at the base of each is a statue of one of the Gospel writers. I especially liked the statue of Saint Luke, which included an illustration of Mary on the scroll, as church tradition states that Luke was the first to create an icon of the Blessed Mother:

There were beautiful stained glass windows, and an exceptional organ:

Here’s a closer look at the grand high altar and the baldachin:

I love church architecture, and this beautiful building did not disappoint!

Mid-Century Marvelous Architecture in Minneapolis

One thing I really wanted to see when we were in Minneapolis is the Northwestern National Life Building. I had stumbled across a picture of it online, and I knew I needed to see this mid-century marvelous beauty for myself. I was not disappointed.

I love the way the tall arches contrast with the sharp line of the roof:

The glass is something to behold, too:

And the use of water out front to offer a reflective surface to lengthen the lines of the building is outstanding!

I’m so glad I actually got to see this gorgeous building!

An Stunning Example of Mid-Century Marvelous Architecture

The Catholic Charities building in St. Louis, located right next to the Cathedral Basilica, is one of my favorite examples of mid-century modern architecture in the city. It’s not just that it’s round (which is a huge plus!), but also the windows and the lovely metalwork in the squares encircling the middle of the building…it is absolutely mid-century marvelous!

Color in The Grove

My children think this building looks like it has Minecraft Creepers on it, and they’re not wrong…I just love that it adds a splash of color to Manchester Avenue in The Grove Neighborhood of St. Louis!